What are the Accessibility Features in Website Builders?

8 min to read

Accessibility has become a growing concern, leading website builders to provide features that meet the needs of people with various abilities. Besides, accessibility features are essential to ensure people with various disabilities can access your website. Here are the commonly added features:

Keyboard navigation: Aimed at users with motor disabilities, enabling them to interact with this website.

Screen reader compatibility: Users with visual impairments or other disabilities can access the website through screen readers or other assistive technologies.

Image descriptions: Provides textual information associated with visuals to support visually impaired users.

Closed captions and transcripts for videos: They facilitate access and interaction with multimedia content for individuals with hearing disabilities.

Text colors and sizes: Customize text colors and sizes for different types of content or user needs.

Key Takeaways:
  • Think inclusive
  • Most website builders offer keyboard navigation and screen reader functions.

  • Test with tools
  • Employ assistive devices and automated checks to verify your site is functional for all users.

  • Accessibility is a fundamental aspect of web design
  • It impacts user experience, search engine optimization, and brand perception.

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How can I ensure these features are properly implemented?

For full impact, combine manual assistive technology testing alongside automated accessibility checking tools for a more thorough evaluation of your website. The method focuses on detecting potential problems and promoting website accessibility for diverse users.

Having features does not guarantee effectiveness. They must be executed properly.

Pro Tips: 
Follow WCAG guidelines: Adhering to WCAG guidelines is a crucial step towards ensuring a website aligns with the internationally recognized standard for accessibility.

Consider including user testing: Feedback from users with disabilities could improve the functionality offered by your platform’s accessibility features.

Do website builders offer any support or resources for creating accessible websites?

Yes, it is a common feature among website builders. Consider searching for website builders with documentation, tutorials, and dedicated support to assist with accessibility. While accessibility implementation is challenging, the availability of support makes the process easier.

Pro Tip:
Community forums: Interact with users and developers to exchange knowledge and share experiences related to accessibility.

Is it more expensive to build an accessible website?

Not really. Advanced features can come with an upfront financial commitment, however, the long-term value proposition could potentially justify the costs. Expanding your audience, improving search engine optimization, and upholding legal compliance may potentially lead to cost reduction and brand reputation improvement, however, outcomes may be influenced by other factors.

Pro Tip:
Evaluate the possible financial impact associated with a lack of inclusivity while considering the significance of maintaining brand values and gains if there is an effort to cover the accessibility needs of your audience.

How can I test the accessibility of my website after building it?

Employ a mixture of manual testing that uses assistive technologies such as screen readers and automated accessibility checkers. The manual testing allows you to view the website from the angle of people with disabilities, whereas the automated tools can swiftly detect frequent accessibility problems.

Pro Tips:
Emphasize practical use-cases: Ensure that you test your website with a variety of devices, browsers, and even assistive technologies.

Always test again: Remember, every time you update your website, you must test the accessibility feature for any new problems.

How does accessibility impact SEO and website traffic?

Accessibility and SEO often have a complex relationship, with website accessibility improvements potentially leading to positive impacts on SEO, but the extent of this impact can vary. Search engines give preference to websites that can be used by everyone, and a lot of accessibility components correspond to SEO requirements. The accessibility of websites influences their ranking and visibility, as search engines are better able to crawl and index them.

Pro Tip:
Alt text: By providing descriptive alt text for images, it includes users with visual impairments as well as search engine crawlers.

Conclusion 

Accessibility has become a key consideration for website builders, leading to the inclusion of relevant features within their systems. A website’s potential to be user-friendly for everyone can be maximized if it is built with knowledge, tested thoroughly, and considers the needs of diverse users. Accessibility encompasses a user-centered perspective that values inclusivity and goes beyond simply adhering to regulatory mandates.

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Important Consideration: The information provided by our expert team is designed to give you a general understanding of the website creation process and the features available to you. It's important to note that this information is not a substitute for professional advice tailored to your specific needs and goals.
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